Would any one like to join in an anxiety support thread?

[Heatherandmoss]

I’ve seen lots of posts recently about people having a bad time with their anxiety and I thought an on going thread might be good do people can bob on and offer and receive support, share tips and just generally empathise with some one going through the same thing.

I’ve had anxiety since I was about ten ( I realised after my psychiatrist was able to help me pin point my earliest memory of it)

I think there is a bit of misconception of anxiety as some people think it’s just general worry - but it’s not.

When my anxiety rears her head it’s so physical. I sweat, my face can go numb, pains in my chest. I have a feeling like some one is kicking my front door in and I’m scared for my life and I could just be hoovering. Anxiety jolts me awake when I’m asleep and it rolls down my body like thunder. It makes me catastrophize at 3am and my feet start rubbing against each other ( weird) My anxiety makes me walk in to the kitchen with my kids empty dinner plates and suddenly feel so so over whelmed I struggle for breath and tears leak out in a gasp of raw emotion - all done silently so my kids can’t hear me.

I’ve had to give up drinking alcohol because Jesus the anxiety the next day was shocking and lasted days until I suddenly stepped out the anxiety room.

My anxiety has been bad since November as I’ve got some things going and I’m worried my heart is going to pack in because of the extra ‘thud thud thud’ overtime it’s being doing!

Exercise does help me take the edge of sometimes. I nearly went to the GP the other day as it was rotten but at this moment of time I need to be switched on.

Today has not been to bad. I’m considering it a win.

So I’ve you’d like to join in or have some where to say ‘holy fuck it’s bad today’ hopefully more people will be here and you will know some one knows how bad your feeling.

Thank you @Lokikitty. I just wish I knew how to switch the negative thoughts off. It isn't so bad when I'm with other people, but as soon as I'm alone, my brain goes into overdrive.

I know what you mean paralysedbyinertia. I used to avoid being on my own but the pandemic has forced me to get used to my own company. It's still hard though.

Do you find anything like meditation or being creative helps? Cooking, baking and drawing help me to focus.

@paralysedbyinertia - welcome. Have you tried exercise? I went for a walk first thing this morning and it helped my anxiety. I find focusing on the walking takes my mind off my worries, some of which can be ridiculous.

Thanks @easteregggfortea, I do try to exercise as regularly as possible, though I have been a bit lazy about going out recently. I was doing c25k a while ago, and I was doing really well with it, until I got derailed by illness. I went for a 90 minute walk in the woods today, and it did help. I do still find myself worrying while I'm walking though!

@Lokikitty, I have got into good habits with meditation previously, but again, I've got out of the habit recently. I think I need to get back on track with that. I was doing really well for a while.

I'm not a very enthusiastic cook but I do like baking. Maybe I should give that a go.

Any tips for dealing with a surge of anxiety upon waking? It’s got really bad lately, I open my eyes and within moments I’m overwhelmed by anxious thoughts. Yesterday I honestly didn’t know how I was going to get out of bed

Hi, thebearandthemare, would it help to start the day with meditation or a walk? Do you know what has triggered this surge of anxiety?

Hope you find something that helps and you are feeling better soon 💐

Sorry no advicev on morning anxiety. I seem to always be rushing about and would rather be asleep! To be fair the same could be said now (apologies if this post is rather incoherent)

Have been doing okay, somewhat self confident again though have had my downs and ups. Though had a nightmare and now can’t seem to get back to sleep. A part of me is terrified to go back to sleep, even though I know I need more sleep

Hi, could I join, please? I suffer from constant and paralysing anxiety. It's mostly to do with work, where I have a very broad remit, little guidance and need to make phone calls to people.

I have nobody to support me, as my family are far away and I have just moved out from a house I shared with my (X? things are complicated...)DP.
The negative thoughts are mostly about how people don't like me or are planning on giving me the boot from work. If the latter should happen, I would be in real trouble, as my rent is high and any unemployment support would be a drop in the sea.

I also worry about the future of my DD who is going to start high school, but is already too anxious to go to school (luckily XDH is able to look after her in the daytime when she refuses to go in).

Yesterday, I found out about some issues with the whole house needing fixed. I broke the news to a new neighbour I was getting friendly with and he hasn't replied. I feel sad, as I knew I'd be shot for being the messenger, but I find it hard going, as I have few, if any friends, and don't want to be scared to bump into him.

Basically, I am at a breaking point. Yesterday, during phone counselling I broke down and snot was everywhere. I need a long holiday, but I still have to hang on for another month and a half.

I am on the maximum dose of pregabalin and Amitriptyline. I am bipolar, so also take Aripirazole. At times, I feel like a walking drug cabinet. They help, but clearly don't take away all of the anxiety. I also have a few drinks every night, so I am afraid that I am becoming dependent.

Apologies for essay and thank you, if you read this.

I would love to join. I'm late to the party and wish I'd spotted this thread sooner. It just popped up on my Active threads. It would never occur to me to look on the Mental Health Board to be honest, even though I've been up and down like a yoyo for years and have suffered from anxiety ever since I can remember. I was prescribed Valium twice during childhood, at age 8 and then again at age 10, both times for specific issues I was having. I also had OCD as a teenager. I haven't been on medication much as an adult, as I just 'manage' my anxiety day to day (except I don't, I simply shove it to the back of my brain) but I can completely relate to those physical reactions connected with anxiety. I get crippling stomach cramps and instant diarrhoea when something triggers my anxiety. But it's that feeling of quick set cement in my chest that's the worst.

The pandemic, while awful in itself, has been great for me as I don't have to face all the things which trigger anxiety day to day. I feel guilty for being glad that I CAN'T take the kids to the usual places and I know I'll have to bite the bullet and get back to some sort of normality like everyone else, but this little oasis of calm has been wonderful. The DC, on the other hand, are showing small signs of anxiety BECAUSE of the pandemic, so I've got to think of them.

Hi DuckingMel. No need to apologise for the long post. It helps to talk about what you're going through. You sound like you have a lot going on 💐

Hi FunnyWonder, glad you found us 🙂.
Sorry to hear that you started medication at such a young age. It's good that this year has been better for you.

I found that the pandemic made my mental health worse, as the things I did to keep busy were no longer available. I'm sort of getting used to it now.

I also have felt better during the pandemic, as there has been less pressure to do stuff. Additionally, the working from home directive came just at a time when I really needed it. I'm now back at my workplace full time and hating it. It's not something I'm proud of...

Also, thank you for the warm welcome, Loki 🌻

I get what you mean! On one hand it’s nice to not have all the stresses of day to day life though it’s also so isolating!

Thank you @Lokikitty.
Hopefully things will be back to normal soon and you can get back to having a fuller life. I think the Pandemic has been a vastly different experience for everyone, depending on where they started from.

Yes, it was early to start medication. The first time, I didn't know what I was taking. My hair was falling out through anxiety and after taking the tablets for a while, it stopped. So I thought they were for hair loss😀 The second time, being a bit older, I knew the tablets were for anxiety and refused to take them in case I got addicted. My mum talked me round (don't quite know if that's good or bad!) I think she was at the end of her tether by then.

Hi, how is everyone doing?

So glad it's half term. I can't spend 2 weeks at home without getting very bored, stressed and lonely. So will be doing a bit of agency work during half term. The place I work at in the hols has been shut for months, so happy to finally go back. I've got another cold, so will have to go for another covid test first, as I am coughing. I'm only booked in for 4 days of work so far, so will probably have a week off.

I'm looking forward to going out for a meal once I've got rid of this cold. Anyone got plans for the half term?

I’ve been stressed with college lately as need to get the work done soon and not getting the grades I’ve been hoping for which has been disappointing. Have had a bit of a short straw lately which has been tough at work as now I feel as though I’m constantly telling the children off which I hate! Is been a bit stressful. I have a wedding to go to next week which I’m not looking forward to as I am rather estranged from extended family but have to go so not looking forward to it.

Do you get two weeks half term loki? We only get one and ours isn’t until next week

Tea - sorry things aren't going well with college and work. Work stress is awful. It just constantly plays on your mind. Could you treat yourself to something nice to wear at the wedding? I'm socially awkward, so find weddings a nightmare. It doesn't even matter who is getting married.

I only get one week off at Easter, so get two weeks this half term.

Yesterday, I managed to screw up something important at work, due to by anxiety. It's not a good feeling. I didn't realise how anxious I was until I saw how my hand were visibly shaking. Now I am convinced my bosses at work hate me. I have invited them to my house next week, but I now think they won't to come. I have so few friends that it really hurts when I alienate the ones I have got.

A few years ago, I though anxiety was that slightly uncomfortable feeling everyone gets from time to time. Now I know what is really like and I so wish I didn't.

What has been the most disabling thing about anxiety for you guys? For me it was sudden driving anxiety. I lived in the middle of nowhere, so was trapped without the car. I now live in the city, so have sold the car.

I had driving anxiety as well.

I had plans for the weekend so I got all my household chores done. I wanted to enjoy today but I've got really bad anxiety. There's a problem I am dealing with that may or may not get resolved in a few days. I can't help worrying about it.

DuckingMel, hope everything turns out okay at work. I'm sure your bosses will still come round to your house next week. Have you lost friends before? I know I have lost quite a few friends due to my anxiety and it does make you worry.

The worst part of my anxiety is my phobia of busy roads. It gets worse the more stressed I am. I hate how scary something as simple as crossing a road can be for me.

Easter - hope your problem is resolved and you are feeling better soon. Are you able to go ahead with your plans?

@Lokikitty thanks. Yes I can still get on with my plans and will have to put up with the anxiety.

I hope you get over your cold soon and enjoy a meal out.

I find having a good sleep makes me less anxious and more able to cope.
I do not put myself in difficult or uncomfortable situations and avoid toxic or annoying people. - (this makes me seen as precious at work sometimes)
My life is eating healthy but nothing fussy &
Simple Exercise.

I must be improving because I feel less nervous around unfamiliar people or less worried about what they think of me now.. this has taken years.
I really am concerned when a women hits alcohol to help cope with anxiety.. several years ago my therapist said alcohol is only a temporary fix.

mine is very bad at the moment , started in overdrive when the cat had to get rushed to the vet tues eve with bladder inflammation and then he had to go back in on wed morning , its the middle to end of the month , both the visits and meds have set me back well over a hundred pounds which i needed to get me and dd through to this coming thursday until i get paid , im now so skint its unreal , and to cap it off on the wed eve i and dd were cleaning her robovroski hamster and as i was trying to get it back in its damn cage it ran back out the door and escaped again !! 5th time its happened , cat it when it ran into hall and its vanished , last seen sighted last night in the kitchen , iv got a humane trap down , but i hate it so much , i dread cleaning it out and if i never saw it again i wouldnt miss it , which makes me feel guilty as i know thats so cruel . had a panic attack on the bus back after school with her , must have looked odd as she was asking if i was ok , made it to the house without being sick , but i had to put myself to bed for a couple of hours , i feel terrible this morning , pounding headache and shakey . i really really want to just spend the whole day in bed i feel that ill . but i know thats not an option , im on meds for the anxiety and depression and strong painkillers for the headaches , but this morning its so bad its not helping at all